Anders Nilsson's Injury Remains a Mystery

By Kevin Schultz | Feb 26, 2013 | 9:30AM

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Over the weekend, Kenny Reiter started Saturday and Sunday's games for the Sound Tigers, after Kevin Poulin was called up to the Island. Missing was Anders Nilsson, the Islanders other young goaltending prospect in the AHL, who hasn't been seen on the ice in February.

In October, Nilsson missed the start of the season due to an unknown illness. The team wouldn't say what was up and the CT Post's Mike Fornabaio didn't know either. From October 25:

[sny-box]If you’re puzzled by Anders Nilsson’s absence, sounds like you’re not the only one. “He’s not feeling 100 percent well when he’s on the ice,” Scott Pellerin said. “He’s not 100 percent.”[/sny-box]

Now it seems Nilsson is out again with another mystery injury and no one's really sure what it is. Nilsson hasn't played in February, which led to the chain reaction of goaltending in Bridgeport; Reiter called up from the ECHL earlier in the month and Valiquette being signed to a PTO over the weekend while Rick DiPietro took the weekend off (DiPietro is supposed to report today).

The New York Islanders' 2017-18 season is speeding down an icy highway in a blizzard with no brakes, as a 15-24-8 record since Dec. 1 has all but assured another season out of the playoffs, sitting home watching other, better teams contend for the Stanley Cup.

Surely, big decisions are looming on the horizon for a franchise that can never seem to sustain any sort of consistency or dependability. After beating Florida in the 2016 playoffs, its first series win in two decades, and coming off back-to-back 100-point seasons, this season can only be classified as a severe regression.

Tonight's game: Hurricanes vs. Islanders, 5 p.m.

Mar 18 | 3:48PM

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Mar 3, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) looks on against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports (Charles LeClaire)

NEW YORK -- For the first few weeks of 2018, a jam-packed Metropolitan Division offered hope to the New York Islanders and Carolina Hurricanes that their final regular season game against each other would carry major playoff implications.

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Weight's lineup experiment involves moving Tavares to wing

Mar 18 | 10:25AM

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(Evan Habeeb)

With 11 games left, the Islanders know they're season won't see a playoff berth despite not being mathematically out of the race. In turn, head coach Doug Weight is doing a little experiment with his star players.

Weight wants to see what John Tavares and Mathew Barzal can do on the same line, which is why he is moving Tavares to left wing ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Hurricanes at Barclays Center. However, he warned not to take the move to heart being that Tavares has played center all these years.

"It doesn't mean he's going to play wing and it doesn't mean he's not a centerman," Weight told Newsday's Andrew Gross. "It's an experiment. Moving forward, it gives them some experience together. I'm excited to see it."

Islanders should give youth a chance in final 11 games

By Andrew Battifarano | Mar 17 | 1:10PM

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Feb 19, 2018; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders goalie Christopher Gibson (33) warms up before a game against the Minnesota Wild at Barclays Center. Gibson was added to the roster this morning when goalie Thomas Greiss was placed on IR. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports (Brad Penner)

With the way the Islanders have played over the better part of half the season, getting swept in a home-and-home by the Capitals seemed about right.

The goaltending couldn't bail out the poor defense, the penalty kill was horrendous and the team now sits below the NHL iteration of .500 at 30-31-10.

Just weeks after the Rangers front office wrote a letter to fans about a rebuild, it's the Islanders who sit at the basement of the Metropolitan Division standings with just 70 points...

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Ledecky's continued slience could mean Snow removal

For the last two years, Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin - who ushered in their era of ownership by proclaiming the Islanders franchise would be "world-class" - have stood behind Garth Snow's lack of leadership and accountability, and his ineptitude in the art of roster management and building a winning culture.

After failing to make the playoffs last season, the Islanders are now near the merciful end to one of the most painful in their history. Getting by for two months on an explosive offense and the emergence of Mathew Barzal as a young star, the Islanders never improved on defense and Snow slept and made excuses instead of trying to fix his flawed roster. When all hope was nearly lost, he blamed his team's collapse on the injury in November to the oft-injured Calvin de Haan.

This entire season, the only notable move made by Snow was to banish Joshua Ho-Sang to the minors (just stating a fact: the Islanders' record this season is far worse without Ho-Sang).

Islanders struggles against Caps continue in 6-3 loss

Mar 16 | 10:20PM

The Isles couldn't hold back the Capitals as they lost 6-3 in their second straight matchup. << Box score

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Tonight's game: Islanders vs. Capitals, 7 p.m.

Mar 16 | 5:35PM

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Mar 24, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Islanders head coach Doug Weight (top) reacts after a video review disallowed an Islanders goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Islanders won 4-3 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports (Charles LeClaire)

The last-place Islanders (30-30-10) fell to 1-5-4 in their last 10 games.

They are 10 points behind the New Jersey Devils for the second Eastern-Conference wild card spot.

"We didn't get any bounces, but we also had breakdowns that weren't very good," defenseman Johnny Boychuk told Newsday. "This time of year, when you're fighting for your life and we don't get those bounces you've got to have a little bit of anger and drive. Playoff hockey. It just wasn't there." << Read more

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Tavares could leave Islanders on a sign and trade this offseason

Mar 16 | 10:53AM

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New York Islanders center John Tavares skates before a game against the Florida Panthers at BB&T Center. (Robert Mayer/USA TODAY Sports)

John Tavares hasn't made up his mind on where his future lies, but if he is to leave the Islanders this offseason, it may be by way of sign and trade, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.

Tavares, 27, is a free agent after the season ends but it's possible that the Islanders would be able to get some sort of return if they lose their captain. Tavares has remained tight-lipped about his future.

This season, Tavares is tied for the team lead in points with 69 (31 G, 38 A). He's spent his nine-year career with the Islanders and has 606 points in 656 games played.

The Islanders have slipped to last place in the Metropolitan Division, as their playoff hopes on a once-promising season are bleak. They trail the second wild-card place by nine points with 13 games remaining.

Christopher Gibson saved just seven of the 12 shots he faced as the Islanders were embarrassed by the Capitals 7-3. Tanner Fritz recorded two assists for the Isles. << Box score

First period

2:19 NYI Brock Nelson; Assists: Tanner Fritz, Ryan Pulock

10:32 WAS Lars Eller; Assists: Brett Connolly, Jakub Vrana

11:29 WAS T.J. Oshie; Assists: Andre Burakovsky, Nicklas Backstrom

12:29 NYI Andrew Ladd; Assists: Jordan Eberle, Mathew Barzal

17:17 WAS Dmitry Orlov; Assists: Evgeny Kuznetsov, Tom Wilson

Second period

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Tonight's game: Islanders vs. Capitals, 7 p.m.

Mar 15 | 6:15PM

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Mar 3, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) looks on against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports (Charles LeClaire)

NEW YORK -- The New York Islanders and their fans could have been forgiven if the Islanders' first game against the Washington Capitals this season left them imaging what could be at stake the next time the Capitals returned to Brooklyn.

Unfortunately for the Islanders, they'll be in spoiler mode for the Brooklyn rematch on Thursday night, when the Capitals visit Barclays Center for the final time this season.

Both teams won their most recent games.

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Islanders in desperation mode with 13 games left

Mar 15 | 11:50AM

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(Sergei Belski)

With 13 games left, head coach Doug Weight knows there is no margain for error.

The Islanders currently sit nine points out of the second wild card in the Eastern Conference, and a run is certainly needed to come within reach of that mark.

"We know we've got to go on a big run," Weight told Newsday's Andrew Gross. "It's going to start with one game. We have to plan for Thursday like it's April 8 and go from there."

Gibson to start vs. Capitals

Mar 15 | 11:00AM

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Feb 19, 2018; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders goalie Christopher Gibson (33) warms up before a game against the Minnesota Wild at Barclays Center. Gibson was added to the roster this morning when goalie Thomas Greiss was placed on IR. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports (Brad Penner)

Christopher Gibson will be the Islanders' starting goaltender for Thursday's matchup against the Washington Capitals.

After Barzal, who is Islanders' next big young star?

Mar 12 | 5:30PM

With the Islanders now all but out of playoff contention in the Eastern Conference following their recent losing streak, we at Islanders Point Blank thought it would be pertinent to take a look forward at some of what could become of this team in the near future. New York certainly has a lot of issues and decisions to make over the next few months prior to the 2018 NHL Draft.

While we have discussed the coaching and front office ad nauseam (and might be in the future anyway), it would be best suited if some other aspects were analyzed.

Weight not holding back when critiquing Mathew Barzal

Mar 12 | 4:45PM

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Dec 27, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal (13) celebrates his goal in overtime to win the game 3-2 during the overtime period go the game between the New York Islanders and the Buffalo Sabres at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports (Dennis Schneidler)

Mathew Barzal has taken Isles Country, and the entire NHL by storm this season. The 20-year-old is the expected Calder Trophy winner, and he has superstar written all over him.

But that doesn't mean Barzal's rookie season hasn't come with any tribulation.

Head coach Doug Weight has made it public that he needs to rein in Barzal at times, as he has the tendency to get fancy at times. He tries to get too creative, which in turn, has created turnovers just like the one against the Oilers Thursday where Connor McDavid stole the puck away, and Barzal had to bring him down on a breakaway for a penalty...

Can Doug Weight handle magnitude of Islanders job?

By Andrew Battifarano | Mar 10 | 9:15AM

Apr 6, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; New York Islanders head coach Doug Weight looks on from behind the players bench against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The New York Islanders defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports (James Guillory)

Thursday night's Islanders game felt a lot like the season in a nutshell.

There was a lead; It was squandered; Some head-scratching decisions were made along the way; And it all culminated in a loss that probably could have been avoided.

Now at eight straight losses, things not improving and the team seven points behind the Columbus Blue Jackets for the final Wild Card spot, it's now a pretty bleak situation. It's the perfect time for the masochists out there...

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Isles' heartbreak continues after fluke goal forces yet another loss

Mar 9 | 1:45PM

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(Walter Tychnowicz)

No words came out of Doug Weight's mouth when asked what has happened to his team that has now lost eight straight games ater their loss to the Oilers Thursday night.

The Islanders lose their 8th straight game after falling to the Oilers 2-1 in a shootout. The Isles were leading before Connor McDavid scored the game-tying goal with less than two minutes left. McDavid then scored the shootout winner. << Box score

First period:

No goals

Second period:

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Tonight's game: Islanders at Oilers, 9 p.m.

Mar 8 | 7:10PM

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Mar 3, 2018; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Islanders center John Tavares (91) looks on against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period at PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 3-2 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports (Charles LeClaire)

Barring a massive turnaround over the final four weeks of the season, the Edmonton Oilers are headed to the NHL Draft Lottery. A late-season swoon may have the New York Islanders right there with them.

The Oilers will try to complete a sweep of the season series and hand the Islanders their eighth straight loss on Thursday night at Rogers Place.

Edmonton (28-34-4), which is trying to stay out of the Western Conference basement, defeated New York, 2-1, in overtime on Nov. 7. Leon Draisaitl scored in regulation and assisted on Connor McDavid's game-winner.

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Are Islanders headed for a summer of change?

Mar 24, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Islanders head coach Doug Weight (top) reacts after a video review disallowed an Islanders goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Islanders won 4-3 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports (Charles LeClaire)

'It ain't over 'til it's over' is one of the oldest, greatest sports quotes, muttered by Yogi Berra. It also became the lyrics to a song by Lenny Kravitz. It's a line that has become difficult for Islanders fans to say these days.

If you look at the NHL standings as of this morning, you see the Islanders sitting on the outside looking in, trailing the Columbus Blue Jackets by six points with both teams even in games played at 67. That gives New York 15 games (30 points) to make up ground, which will be more difficult than it looks on the surface considering they have to pass the Carolina Hurricanes and red-hot Florida Panthers on their way to even approaching the Jackets.

New York's league worst defense (241 goals allowed) has torpedoed a once promising season that saw them sitting at 15-7-2 at the end of November. Since then, it's been a free-fall of epic proportions. The Isles have stumbled to a 14-22-7 record with nary a move to improve a roster that, to be completely honest, needed an overhaul in January.

Barzal has been bright spot in lost season for Islanders

By Andrew Battifarano | Mar 7 | 1:45PM

After another loss in a winnable game against the Canucks earlier in the week, the Islanders' dismal second half of the season continued to slide in the wrong direction.

What plan this team has for the future is beyond me at this point. There are a lot of unanswered questions, and knowing how this franchise has been run for the better part of two-and-half decades, fans won't like how things continue to go in the near future. There are plenty of negatives that you can harp on this team, whether it's the front office, bad defense or the lingering John Tavares situation. Take your pick, and you can discuss it at length for as long as you desire.

But let's take a moment to appreciate something positive in what is becoming a lost season. Mathew Barzal is almost a sure-fire bet to win this year's Calder Trophy for the league's rookie of the year. Especially with the recent injuries to Charlie McAvoy and Brock Boeser, you can pretty much take it to the bank that Barzal will be the first Islander to take home the award since Bryan Berard did so in 1996-97...

With a day off on Tuesday, the Islanders had time to reflect on their recent seven-game skid. And it wasn't pleasant.

Monday was another instance of New York getting ahead early just to lose the lead and the game later on. The Canuck, who own a 25-32-9 record after the win, should have been an easy opponent for the Isles to snap the losing streak. However, a 4-3 overtime loss ensued instead, forcing angered words to leave the mouth of many, including head coach Doug Weight after the game.

What's even worse is the Blue Jackets moved up in the Eastern Conference wild card race with a win over the Golden Knights on Tuesday night. Now, the Islanders sit six points out of that coveted playoff berth, and they realize if they want to see the postseason, their window of opportunity is closing fast.

With the Islanders traveling north of the border to face the Canucks Monday, a highly-anticipated matchup between the two top rookies in the league -- Mathew Barzal and Brock Boeser -- will unfold.

Many believe the Calder Trophy -- the NHL's equivalent to Rookie of the Year -- is strictly between these two, who have had incredible seasons thus far. At practice Sunday, both players noted how they try to keep their mind off the race for the trophy. However, it is hard when everyone else brings it up constantly.

"It's pretty hard to not see any of that stuff," Barzal told Newsday's Neil Best. "He's had a great season and pushed me, seeing how much success he was having. He's awesome...Obviously, he's got one of the best shots in the league."

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Penguins and the New York Islanders will be vying for more than just a win when they meet Saturday at PPG Paints Arena. Both clubs will be pushing for a turnaround.

The Penguins (36-25-4) have lost three straight games by a combined 17-11, including an 8-4 pasting Thursday at Boston, and have watched Philadelphia move up to displace them in second place in the tight Metropolitan Division.

The Islanders (29-29-7) gave up three straight goals in the third period in a 6-3 loss Friday at Montreal, their fifth loss in a row (0-4-1), a skid that has left them clamoring to try to get into a wild-card spot in the East. They are four points behind Columbus for that last playoff slot in the conference.

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Doug Weight: We're not playing well, we need more

Mar 3 | 1:50PM

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Jan 19, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders interim head coach Doug Weight coaches against the Dallas Stars during the first period at Barclays Center. (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

The Islanders are running out of games to pick up points in the Eastern Conference playoff race and they're running out of ways to say 'we need to be better.'

After losing to the Canadiens 6-3 on Friday night, the team's fifth straight loss, head coach Doug Weight asserted, again, that the Isles simply have to improve.

"There's things we can do yeah, but we're not playing well," Weight said...

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Isles allow three unanswered in third in 6-3 loss to Canadiens

Mar 2 | 9:45PM

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(Dennis Schneidler)

The Islanders allowed three unanswered goals in the third period to allow the Canadiens to get the win, 6-3, on their home ice. << Box score

Halak to start vs. Montreal

Mar 2 | 10:36AM

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New York Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak can't stop a goal by Anaheim Ducks' Rickard Rakell during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Anaheim, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) (AP )

Jaroslav Halak will be the Islanders' starting goaltender for Friday's game against the Montreal Canadiens.

Halak has given up at least three goals in three of his last four starts, including Wednesday's 3-1 loss to Montreal.

Gibson likely to get a start in goal for Islanders

Mar 1 | 8:30PM

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Feb 19, 2018; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders goalie Christopher Gibson (33) warms up before a game against the Minnesota Wild at Barclays Center. Gibson was added to the roster this morning when goalie Thomas Greiss was placed on IR. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports (Brad Penner)

With the Islanders' season at a critical juncture, the club will likely turn to young backup goalie Christopher Gibson in one of their upcoming games, perhaps as early as Friday against the Canadiens.

The 25-year-old was recalled last month from Bridgeport when Thomas Greiss was placed on injured reserve, although he has yet to get into a game. Gibson was 18-11-3 with a 2.31 goals against average for the Sound Tigers, and the Islanders are hoping he brings some of that success with him.

"He's a good kid, good goalie, been working really hard and it's been a while, so we've got to get him in there,'' Isles head coach Doug Weight said Thursday. "I think he's got the attitude to play well for us.''

Islanders fall to Canadiens 3-1

Feb 28 | 9:35PM

New York Islanders goaltender Thomas Greiss and Montreal Canadiens right wing Brendan Gallagher battle the puck during the second period at Bell Centre. (Jean-Yves Ahern/USA TODAY Sports)

The Islanders failed to pick up points in a heated playoff race as they lost to the Canadiens 3-1 in Montreal, with Mathew Barzal scoring the team's lone goal. << Box score

First period:

3:50 NYI Mathew Barzal; Assists: Thomas Hickey, Jordan Eberle

11:02 MON Paul Byron; Assists: Artturi Lehkonen, Jonathan Drouin

Second period:

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Tonight's game: Islanders at Canadiens, 7 p.m.

Feb 28 | 6:35PM

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New York Islanders forward John Tavares (91) celebrates his goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Buffalo Sabres, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes) (Jeffrey T. Barnes/AP)

MONTREAL, QC -- After back-to-back shootout losses, the Montreal Canadiens look to get back into the win column as they host the New York Islanders on Thursday evening.

The Canadiens (23-29-10) played their first game post trade deadline. Longtime staple down the middle Tomas Plekanec was shipped to a division rival in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Captain Max Pacioretty, who was rumored to be on the chopping block, stayed with the team when the 3 PM trade deadline came and went.

Montreal has been struggling all season, and have only won only once in its last nine games, going 1-4-4. Tuesday night, the Canadiens were shut out by the Philadelphia Flyers 1-0 in the sixth round of the shootout. Charlie Lindgren made 33 saves for his second shutout of the season. With Carey Price sidelined with a concussion, it was Lindgren's first start since Nov. 21. << Read more

Snow's failure at deadline could impact the Tavares situation

By Andrew Battifarano | Feb 27 | 5:15PM

New York Islanders center John Tavares skates before a game against the Florida Panthers at BB&T Center. (Robert Mayer/USA TODAY Sports)

With the Islanders' ever-dwindling playoff hopes getting dimmer and dimmer each day, the NHL Trade Deadline could have been the time to help pivot in one direction or another.

They could have pulled off the going-for-it move like the Lightning and added key pieces for a playoff run. Or they could've acted like Tampa Bay's trade partner in the Rangers and sold off assets in an attempt to retool.

Instead, GM Garth Snow did much as he usually does around this time of year -- less than the bare minimum.

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For Snow and Yormark, it's just another day

When the Islanders announced Josh Bailey's new six-year contract on Friday, Garth Snow was letting you know it was okay to hit the snooze alarm on trade deadline day. His trade for depth defenseman Brandon Davidson on Saturday, and flip of Jason Chimera for fourth-liner Chris Wagner today were "Moves So Snow," he should get the concept trademarked.

Snow has known for three months that his team, talented at the very top, but with significant holes everywhere else, needed improvements. We now know, because Snow told us in a recent interview so loony you'd think it was conducted at BK Sweeney's, that he regarded the season-ending injury suffered by defenseman Calvin de Haan in December as a devastating blow to his club.

Yet Snow did what he's always done best since 2006 - little, while offering excuses.

The Islanders have sent LW Jason Chimera to the Ducks in exchange for C Chris Wagner, the team announced Monday.

Chimera, 38, is in his 17th year in the NHL, and it was his second season with the Isles. He played in all 82 games last season, posting 33 points (20 goals, 13 assists). This season, however, his numbers dipped with just 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 58 games.

Chimera last played on Feb. 13, as he has seen healthy scratches recently...

Barclays CEO calls Islanders a 'rent-a-team' in Brooklyn

Feb 25 | 11:53PM

General view of the National Anthem as a flag is unfurled before the game between the New York Islanders and the New Jersey Devils at Barclays Center. (Anthony Gruppuso)

Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark called the New York Islanders a "rent-a-team" regarding their stint in Brooklyn, which will end permanently in the 2021-22 season.

The Islanders, who moved from the Nassau Coliseum to Barclays Center in 2015, will split time between the two arenas while they wait for the completion of the Belmont Arena in Long Island, their next permanent home.

"Nowhere Man," the iconic 1965 hit by the Beatles, can best summarize where the New York Islanders find themselves right now with 19 games remaining in the 2017-18 regular season and the trade deadline looming tomorrow at 3pm ET.

The Islanders have acquired D Brandon Davidson from the Oilersfor a 2018 third-round draft pick, the team announced.

Davidson, 26, began the season with the Canadiens before being waved in December. With the Canadiens and Oilers, Davidson has three goals and two assists in 36 games and is a minus-5. In 137 career games, he has a total of eight goals and 12 assists.

Islanders GM Garth Snow will hope that Davidson can help the NHL-worst defense improve enough to push the team to the playoffs. This season, the Islanders have conceded 223 goals, 12 worse than second-last Senators.